HII, US Navy note efforts to repair and maintain shipboard-based elevators

US sailors say maintaining elevator systems and equipment, like that shown here on USS Nimitz, is physically demanding and difficult. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

With US Navy (USN) sailors battling to maintain shipboard-based elevators on the USN's oldest aircraft carriers, the service has awarded HII a USD418 million contract to maintain and report those systems and equipment on all carriers and amphibious ships.

Under the five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded on 22 June by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), HII's Mission Technologies division will provide engineering, maintenance and technical repair support for the elevators, cargo handling equipment and associated systems installed on the ships, HII said in a statement about the contract.

HII said its Mission Technologies division will also conduct sailor training to promote self-sufficiency at sea and provide rapid response fly-away teams that deploy globally to ensure complex maintenance and repairs are completed safely and effectively.

USN sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the oldest carrier in the fleet, told Janes on 25 June during briefings on the ship as it traveled up the US East Coast that maintaining elevators – including aircraft elevators – remains one of the most difficult and physically demanding maintenance tasks on the ship.

HII officials note the contract for elevator repairs and maintenance covers any elevator the USN wants serviced on carriers and amphibious ships, including the newer Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWEs) on Ford-class carriers.

There are continuing concerns with the AWEs, the Pentagon's Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) said in its FY 2025 Annual Report , accessed by Janes on 17 March.

“The Ford-class has yet to build and transfer ordnance to the flight deck at rates reflective